Thursday, February 19, 2026

What did we do?!?

 So the kit changed in big ways in the last two months.

 Specifically what gear came and went?

  • S5 and Gx7: gone
  • L-mount lenses: gone
  • E-M1² : in (again)
  • Swm 12-60 + OM 40-150 f/4 Pro: in
  • Pentax kit: restored*

In functional terms? 
I upgraded the μ43 sensor, removed the AA filter and restored 4k video specs. I regained weather seals (with eM1² and 40-150), and USB in-camera charging. I lost my tilt screen :√( but added autofocus limiter and live time + composite. I picked up a superior telephoto lens for light gathering, build quality and compactness. I also gained light in the wide end with the zd swm 12-60 f/2.8-4 but added bulk to the system (heavier, and uses an adapter). 

I retained the zd 70-300 (and its adapter!), Laowa 10/2, Olympus 30/3.5 macro and Yongnuo 17/1.7 for more compact and/or lower-light wide options.

I also gained back some money to pay bills, and prioritized more useful features above sensor size. Yes, that was hard - but I'm nearly over it already!

----+-+----+-+----+-+----+-+----

A Small Update

The GX7 and 14-42 have departed, in exchange for cash and an Olympus 14-42ez. That allows for a flexible 'small kit' (even smaller when used with the gf9!!) - so now all my zooms rotate in the same direction, which minimizes headaches. I owned it before and felt bad about letting it go - so let's try again!




* The Pentax Restoration is likely quite temporary, as the eM1² matches or beats the k-S1 in nearly every way. It was a stop-gap plan and the gap is filled now.


 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

winter?

 

We are at 50% of normal already for February. 
We're in a dry spell for now, but change is coming. 

Sorta looks like winter - at last!

This is the forecast for next week at the valley floor. Whether we will be warmer or cooler, or if snow will drop to 800 feet, only time will tell at this point.